Apparatus for preserving



April 16, 1929- G. w. MULLEN APPARATUS FOR PRESERVING Filed May 12. 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet INVEN'IOR AT'I ORMZY flea/fat WMuZZan BY XVI/M4444,

April 16, 1929,. w. L E 1,709,481

APPARATUS FOR PRESERVING Filed May 12, 1926 s Sheets-Sheet 2 La INVENTOR Geo/{96 IV Mall 01 b ,W ATTORNEY April 16, 1929- G. w. MULL EN 1,709,481

' APPARATUS FOR PRESERVING Filed May 12. 1926 s Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR deorge h. Mullen ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 15, 1929.

1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

GEORGE W. MULLEN, OF FLUSHING, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO ANCHOR CAP AND CLOSURE CORPORATION, OF LONG ISLAND CITY, NEW YORK, A COREORATION OF NEW YORK.

Application filed May 12,

The present invention relates to cooking and preserving, and more particularly to an apparatus for cooking or preserving 1nate-' to a considerable extent upon the cooking,

great care must be taken to obtain the exact temperature in all parts of the retort for a considerable period of time to prevent insufiicient or excessive processing of any of the containers. In doing this, considerable dificulty has been encountered because the containers are usually-heated to 240 or 250 degrees Fahrenheit, which is considerably above boiling temperature, and as a result an internal pressure is developed in the containers which is considerably in excess of the external steam pressure. This is particularly true where the air is not exhausted before the containers are sealed. Pressures of 30 pounds or more gage are developed under ordinary operations when the containers are sealed at room temperature (70 degrees Fahrenheit) without exhausting the air therefrom, and this is sufficient, if not coun- 3o tel-balanced, to distort metallic containers and to burst glass containers or to cause leaks in the seals thereof. Where the heating medium is steam, the internal pressure is partially balanced by the pressure of the steam in the retort, which is usually about 10 pounds gage, leaving a differential pressure of upwards of 20 pounds.

Various'methods and apparatus have been devised to eliminatethe effects of these pressures. Containers have been provided with small apertures to permit the escape of gases duringthe cooking and adapted to be readily sealed thereafter. Clamps have also been used to prevent the covers from being blown off. Perhaps the most successful method has been to inject compressed air into the retort to counterbalance the pressure developed in the containers at a given temperature. rate devices have been designed automatically to control the admission of compressed air to give the desired pressure for different temperature within the retort and for difi'erent Elabo- AIi-PARATUS FOR PRESERVING.

1926. Serial No. 108,497.

pressures in the containers. Such devices are expensive and are frequently out of order requiring the attention offan expert mechanic to keep them in adjustment. Further, the entrance of the compressed air into the container and its contact with steam, causes a sudden increase in pressure which is dangerous, to'say theleast. To prevent air pockets and'variations in temperature inthe different parts of the retort due to the injected air it is customary to have one or more aperturesv in the retort exhausting air and steam continuously to obtain proper circulation,

thereby occasioning considerable waste of a minimum of parts likely to occasion adjustment. Generally these advantages are obtained by entrapping a quantity of air in the retort preferably at atmospheric pressure, and subjecting the air to the same heating medium that the containers are subjected to. The air Will increase in pressure in proportion to the change in its absolute temperature and the increase in air pressure outside the containers will counterbalance the pressure in the containers, which is usually above the pressure of saturated steam at a given temperature, and the difl'erential pressure will be substantially constant throughout the processing operation. To maintain the external pressure required as low as possible, the air in the containers is exhausted by sealing the containers while hot or else by sealing them in a vacuum chamber so that the portion of the internal pressure caused by air and other gases will be reduced to a minimum. This not only facilitates and simplifies the processing but also prevents discoloration of the food and prevents decomposition in some I instances.

' The preferred form of apparatus com rises a retort adapted to receive a number 0 containers. The air is entrapped inthe retort when it is enclosed for the processing operation so that no compressed air facilities are sive to t temperaturein the retort. Thorough circulation and uniform temperatures I are maintained in all parts of the retort by injccting the steam tangentially of the curved wall of the retort so that a swirling action causes a thorough mixture of the injected steam and the entrapped air. A suitable control device maintains a quantity of water at a definite level in the bottom of the retort so that the steam will always be saturated. Suitable valve mechanisms are provided to facilitate the injection of cooling water after the contents of the'containers have been cooked. 4 7

An object of the invention is to simplify the method and apparatus used heretofore in processing foods in hermetically sealed containers.

Another object of the invention is to eliminate air compressors and the complicated automatic controls for the compressed air and steam heretofore required for maintaining the proper external pressure on the sealed containers, by entra pingwithin the retort a quantity ofair or ot .er gas and permitting its pressure to increase under the influence of the temperature medium for the containers so that a variable external pressure is provided which is directly responsive to the temperature within the retort and by minimizing L .e external pressure r equired by exhausting the air from containers prior to the sealing operation.

Another object of the invention is to render the gaseous condition in the retort similar to j the gaseous condition in the containers so that the pressure in the retort and in the con tainers will be substantially equalized at all temperatures.

A further object of the invention is to maintain a uniform temperature throughout the retort by injecting steam tangentially of the side thereof to cause a swirling action which thoroughly mixes the gases in the retort.

Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrated embodiment about to be described, or will be obvious from the accompanying drawings or indicated in the appended claims, and Various advantages secured by the invention other than those herein specifically referred to, will occur to one skilled in. the art ppon employment of the invention in pracice.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for the purpose of illustration and description and is shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a preferred form of apparatus;

Fig; 2 is a side elevational view of a referred form of apparatus with portions broken away to show details thereof;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view along the line. 3-3 of Fig. 2, illustrating details of the needle valves;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view along the line 4 4 of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 5 is a view of the steam and water control mechanism with the cover removed showing details thereof.

Referring to the drawings, illustratin one embodiment of the invention, there is s IOWII a retort 10, mounted and held in a foundation 11 of cement or other material by means of the brackets 12. Preferably the retort extends through the foundation with its lower end projecting a substantial distance to perlnit suitable pipings to be attached thereto. The space below the foundation furnishes a convenient location for the various pipes associated with the apparatus.

The retort preferably comprises a cylindrical body portion 14, having a lower head 15 riveted thereto and an upper circular rim 16 riveted in position, with a pair of lugs 17 hinged thereto by means of bolts 18 passing through the bifurcated extensions 19 on the rim. A cover 20 is adapted to be seated on the rim and has suitable recesses in its periphery adapted to receive the lugs 17 when they are raised about their pivots into engagement with the cover.- The nuts 21 may be rotated by means of the arms 22 to apply the pressure required to maintain the cover in position when there is steam pressure in the retort. A

suitable gasket 24 may be utilized to seal the retort and to prevent escape. of air or steam between the cover and the rim.

Containers 25 are placed one upon another to fill the perforated baskets 26 which may be stacked in the retort. This facilitates rapid removal of the containers and also permits the stacking of the containers to be done outside of the retort so that the time during which the retort is idle is reduced to a minimum. The pipe 27 with a valve 28 therein, leads from the bottom of the retort to a steam trap 29 which is adapted to maintain a constant level of water 30 so that the steam in the retort will always be saturated. In the event the steam trap becomes ineffective, or out of order at any time, a by-pass 102 is shown in Fig. 4 with a valve 104 therein so that the excess water may be by-passed a round the steam trap by closing the valves 28 and 105 and opening valve 104. The bottom basket is mounted upon a support 34 to maintain the containers above the level of the water at all times during the sterilizing operation.

The steam trap 29 may be of any form but it is here shown having a float-controlled valve, that is. having a valve within the steam trap controlling the flow therefrom which is opened when the float 31 reaches a predeterreaches a predetermined lower level.

mined upper level and is closed when it Apipe I 32 leads from the steam trap to some portion will flow freel of the retort above the water level to prevent the steam trap from becoming air -bound, by maintaining the same pressure in the steam trap as exists in the retort so that the water to and from the steam trap. After the has ets 26-filled with containers have been placed in the retort and the cover 20 fixed rigidly in position, steam is admitted from the mainsupply pipe through pipe 36, hand valve 37, automatic valve.38, pipes 39 and 40, and needle valve 41' into the retort.

The needle valve 41 is preferably formed as shown in Fig. 3, wherein a tube 44 is threaded into the retort 10 with a needle 45 seated in its closed end controlled by the knob '46 and locked in position bythe nut 47. j The end of the needle is conical tocooperatew'ith a conical seal 49 fitted into the end of-the tube 44. A deflector 50 is formed river the seat 49- with a small aperture 51 in the side thereof 'to direct a jet of wall of the retort valves are adjusted by means of the knobs 46- and lock nuts 47 to admit sufficient steam to bring the retort and its contents up to a desired constant temperature in a definite period of time. After the needle valves have been adjusted in one instance, it is merely necessary in subsequent runs to turn the steam on at valve 37.

tube 56, which extends around the retort substantially at its'center portion and is held in position 'by the brackets 57, expands and operates through the flexible tube 58 the motor valve 59, which controls the automatic valve 38 in the usual manner. The needle valves furnish steam at a slightly greater rate than it is absorbed by the food in the sterilifiing operation and as a result, the motor valve operates'from time to time to shut off the steam or to decrease its flow so that the temperature remains constant at its upper limit. The,

condensed steam falls to the bottom and en ters the drain pipe 60 bymeansof the pipe 27 and steam trap 29. If the pressure in the retort increases beyond a predetermined maximum the relief valve 62. which may be set by means of the member 53 for any pressure, operates to prevent an excessivepressure on the containers. As a further precaution,

there is provided a safety valve 83, preferably set several pounds higher than the setting of the relief valve, to take care of exhand wheel 68.

79 maintaining positions by extending.

cess pressure in the event the relijef valve fails j to function properly.

After the sterilizingor has been completed, it-becomes: necessary cool the containers. Thisl requlres ,consi' erable time when thecont'ainersarewglassbe I cause of its beingva'relatively pooreondueto I .of heat and also because of its tendency to" break if its temperature ischjanged too; sud

denly.r;- There is provided in the present'ap par'a'tus a mixingvalve enclosed'by housiing 64, shown in detail-in Fig. 5 with the cover 1n the pipes and 66, leading from the steam pipe 35 and water pipe 67, respectively, are

of the housing removed, wherein the valves controlledsimultaneously by means of the Thetwo DiPes'65 and 66 have hand operated valves 69and 70. At 72 the water 'pipe joins ,thejsteam pipe, supply ing water about the conical portion 73, as

shown in' dot-ted vlin'es in 1 1. so that the steam may'aid i agi g-water coninto tainer =and,jif fne'cessary, "inject itj tl'iferein} In the pipes .65 and :66 adjacent their june j ture, therearea pair of valves 74 and I75,'havmg valve stems-76 and 7 7 extending upwardsition. The uppe'r'ends of the valve stems engage the arms 80 the cam riders 82 and 84, engaging earns 85 and 86 on shaft 87. The shape of the cams 85 and 86 is such that'whe'n the wheel 68 is turned a predetermined amount in one direction the valves74 and 75 are'opened sufiiciently to give an attemp'erated supply of water at a definite temperature, usually 190 degrees, which may be supplied to the retort without fear of breaking the containers 7 therein. When the steam reaches a predetermined. temperature inside the retort. the gas in the.

the exact temperature of the water prior to pivoted at 81 to support I ly into thehousin'g 64 with the springsi7 8 and; i

the valves in their closed po- .105 In the event that it is desired to determine its'en'try'through the pipe 90 into retort, the

three-way valve 91 may be turned so that the water will pass through the pipe 92 into drain pipe 60 and its temperature will be registered by the thermometer 94 attached adjacent the three-way valve 91'. -When the flow through the pipes 65 and 66 has been regulated to give the temperature desired, the three-way valve may be turned to direct water into the retort. This furnishes an easy and ready means for quickly supplying water for the cooling of the vessels. As the level of the water rises in the retort. the air pres sure in reases until it operates the relief valve 62. If desired, or if the relief valve does not respond quickly,'the valve 93 in the by-pass 95 may be manually operated to maintain the pressure at the desired degree during the cooling operation. A suitable glass tube 97 extends from the upper to the lower end of the retort'so that the level of the water during the cooling operation may be readily observed. Suitable valves 38 are provided at its respective ends for shutting off the water in the event of breakage or the like.

During the cooling operation, the steam trap 29 is shut oil by means of the valve 105. The valve (32 maintains the required pressure in the retort and opens automatically to con- .duct the warmest water through pipe 106 will fill completely. To facilitate'the at taclnnent of a thermometer 100 and a pressure gage 101 there is provided a boxlike construction 99 on the side of the retort.

In the operation of the apparatus shown the containers are placed in baskets and the baskets placed in .the retort which is sealed b means of a cover 20 thereb entra ping a quantity of air about the containers which is not permitted to escape. The needle 'alves 41 and 54 are then adjusted, if not already in adjustment, 'and steam admittcd through the pipes 36 and 39 and valves 37 and 38 to bring the contents of the retort to the desired temperature by injecting the steam tangentially of the side wall of the re tort by means of the deflectors attached to the needle valves which cause thorough circulation and mixing of the air and steam throughout the heating operation. lVhen the retort reaches the proper cooking or sterilizing temperature the gas in the thermostat tube 56 operates the motor valve 59 to close the automatic valve 38 or to decrease the opening thereof so that the steam entering the retort is stopped or the amount decreased considerably unil the temperature drops sufliciently to open the valve 59 again.

The radiation of the retort and the absorption of the heat by the food causes steam to be required almost constantly and as a result,

the needle valves inject sufficient steam to cause thorough circulation at all times, thereby preventing air pockets and the dangers of explosions due to quantities of air contacting suddenly with steam at a higher temperature. also preventing breakage of containers due to sudden local changes in temperature. The entrapped air, as its tem-' perature is increased, being unable to expand increases in pressure and this furnishes a.

fluid pressure in the retort in addition to the steam pressure which increases with the temperature of the containers and the differential between the pressure in they containers and the" pressure outside of them may be maintained substantially constant throughout the sterilizing operation by entrapping' the proper quantity of air when the top is sealed on the retort. If there is a slight excess of air pressure when the maximum temperature is reached, it is relieved auton'iatically by the relief valve 62. This completely eliminates the necessity of a source of compressed air for maintainin the proper pressure within the retort at the different temperatures and also completely eliminates the highly coniplicated automatic devices heretofore used for this" purpose.

After the retort has been maintained at a predetermined sterilizing or cooking temperature for the desired period of time, the steam supply is cut 0H and the hand wheel 68 operated toopen thevalves in the water and steam pipes to inject attemperated water into the retort and this water for convenience,

.may be diverted into the drain until the exact temperature desired has been obtained. As the retort continues to fill the excess air is released automatically through the relief valve 62 or through the manually operated valve 93, and when the retort becomes filled, the water runs automatically from the upper level through the relief valve 62 and pi pc 106 into the drain. As the cooling proceeds, the hand Wheel 68 may be turned further and further to reduce the temperature of the Water until the packages are completely cooled. The supply of cooling fluid is then cut off and the Water removed from the retort by opening valve 63 in the drain pipe.

It will be seen that an apparatus has been provided which eliminates effectively the use of highly complicated, automatic devices for maintaining pressures within the retort in excess of the pressure of saturated steam at that temperature. The entrapped air increases in pressure to maintain a substantially constant difierential pressure between the interior and exterior of the respective containers. This prevents the formation of leaks and the deformation of closure caps on the containers. Thorough circulation is maintained in the retort at all times to prevent local variations in temperatures and the resulting breakage of containers and properly to cook the contents of each container. Further an apparatus has been provided which is simple in construction and in oper' tion and which can be readily manufactured from commercial material and installed in the existing plants at a minimum cost. All parts of the apparatus are fully capable of withstanding the rough usage to which they may be subjected and there are no complicated parts which are likely to get out of order; hence skilled labor in the use of the apparatus may be reduced to a minimum.

As various changes maybe made in the above embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth is to be taken as illustrative sense.

azdivisonal application filed conduit with the opening directly beside the- I The method disclosed herein is im t November 5, 1927, Serial No. 231,196. I I

an apparatus theclass described,

- the combination of a retort adapted to receive a containers, a steam conduit connected with said retort, and a nozzle at the end of said side of the retort adapted to direct the steam tangentially of the side of said retort iii a single direction only-thoroughly to mix the steam and air therein.

4 2. In an apparatus ofthc class described,

the combination of a retort,-a steam conduit, and a plurality. of nozzles leading from said conduit into said retort and ada ted tocooperate with each other to direc the'steam tangentially of said retort to cause a'swirling action of. the steam and air to mix same thoroughly. I I 3. In an apparatus. Ofthe clas's-des'cribed, the combination of a retort'adapted to receive I containers, a steam conduitconnected with said retort, nozzles connected with said conduit leadingiiito said retort having 8; p111"- rality of outlet'sladaptedto direct the steam laterally of the wall of said retort --in the same direction thereabout' to cause a swirling action for the thorough mixing ofthefluids therein and meansfor preventing the escape of the air in saidretort-whereby the quantity of, air in said retort increases inpressure Without increasing the quantity of air to create a pressure sufficient to balance the internal pressure in the containers at thG'VflIious temperatures to which the containers are 2 subjected.

'4. In an apparatus of the class described,

I the combination of a retort, a steam conduit leading to said retort, a pair of nozzles leadin from said conduit into said retort, needle va ves for controllin the flow of steam through said nozzles, t e outlets of said nozzles bein adapted to direct jets of steam tan entia ly of the side wall of the retort in the same direction to cause a swirling action therein, and means'opcrative when a predetermined temperature is reached to maintain a constant temperature in .said retort.

5. In an apparatus of the class-described, the combination of a retort adapted to receive containers, a steam conduit having nozzles leadinginto said retort facing the same action in said direction to cause a swirlin retort, a valve for conti'olling the flow of steam through; said nozzles, an automatic valve supplementin the action of said nozzle valves to shut o the supply of steam when a predetermined temperature has been reached, and automatic means for relieving and not in a limiting the pressure insa'id re 1 the" combination offa ret'o I I containers,'a 'steamconduit Having 'thus described my invention, I ptclaimz. 5

in said retort Iand was exceeds a predetermined m8 'ps6. In an a paratus ted -toreceive l a e leading from said .conduitinto said" retort; means for I automaticallycontrolling the "fiofwI of steam through said nozzle and means for maintain described,"

ing a. substantiall "constant level of liquid in the bottom of said retort tokeep said steam in a saturated state. I

7. In an apparatus of thefclass described, the combination of a retort adapted to receive containers, means .for admitting steam to said rctort,and means for preventing the escape of air whereby the quantity of air in said retort increases in pressure without increasing the quantity of air to create a pressure suf- .licient to ,balance the internal pressure in the containers at the various temperatures to which the containers are-subjected.

8. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a retort adapted to receive containers, means for subjecting said con-,

.tainers to a sterilizing heat, a conduit for a cooling fluid, a conduit for a heating fluid,

means for simultaneously controlling the flow of fluids through each of said conduits to govern the temperature ofthe fluid delivercd to said retort.

9. In an apparatus of theclass described,

the combination of a retort adapted to receive containers, means for subjecting said containers to a sterilizing heat, a conduit for a cooling fluid, a condu t fora heating fluid,

and means for simultaneously controlling the flow of fluids through each of said conduits to govern the temperature of the fluid delivered to said retort, and means for diverting the fluid from said retort until the proper flow through said conduits has been attained. a

10. In an apparatus of the classdescribed, the -combinationof a retort adapted to receive containers, means for subjecting said containers'to a sterilizing heat, a conduit for a cooling fluid, a conduit for a heating fluid, the said conduits being connected together to deliver an attemperated fluid to said retort, and means for simultaneously controlling the flow of fluids through each of said conduits to govern the temperature of the fluid delivered to said retort.

11. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a retort adapted to receive containers; means for subjecting said containers to a sterilizing heat, conduits for heating and. cooling fluids, valves for said conduits, cams for controlling said valves,

and a common means for operating said cams simultaneously to attemperate the fluid entering said retor 12. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a retort adapted to receive containers, means for subjecting said containers to a sterilizing heat, conduits for heating and cooling flulds, valves for said conduits, cams for controlling said valves,

21 common means for operating said cams simultaneously to attempcrate the fluid entering said-retort, and means for diverting said fluid from said retort until the proper temperature has been reached.

13. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a retort adapted to receive containers, means for subjecting said containers toa sterilizing heat, a conduit adapted to deliver water to said retort, a conduit for steam, said conduits being joined externally of the retort to deliver attemperated Water thereto, a pair of valves for controlling thelflow of fluid through said conduits, and means for operating said valves simultaneously to control the temperature of. the water delivered to the retort.

14. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a retort adapted to receive containers, means for subjecting said containers to a sterilizing heat, conduits for Water and steam, said conduits being joined externally of the retort to deliver attemperated water thereto for cooling said containers, a pair of valves controlling the flow throughsaid conduits, and a shaft having a pair of cams thereon adapted to operate said valves co-increase the temperature of the Water when turned in one direction and to decrease the temperature when turned in the opposite direction.

15. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a retort adapted vto receive containers, a steam conduit, a plurality of outlets from said conduit opening into said retort and adapted to cooperate with each other to direct the steam laterally of the side of said retort to cause a swirling action of the steam in said retort to mix same thoroughly, and means for maintaining a substantially constant level of liquid in said retort to keep said steam in a saturated state.

16. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a retort adapted to receive containers sealed with a partial vacuum therein, means for admitting steam under pressure to said retort to heat said containers by contact therewith, and means for preventing the escape of air from said retort whereby the quantity of air in said retort increases under pressure due to the increase in temperature thereof, without increasing the quantity of air therein, to create a combined pressure within the retort sutlieient to balance the internal pressure in the containers at the various temperatures to which the containers are subjected.

17. In an apparatus of the class described,

the combination of a retort adapted to re ceive containers, means for admitting'steam to said retort 1n contact with said containers,

and means for preventing the escape of a portion of the air in said retort whereby said quantity of air increases in pressure due to its increase iutemperature, without. increasing the quantity of air in said retort, to create. a combined steam and air pressure su'tlicient to balance the internal pressure in thecontainm's at the various temperatures to which thecontainers are subjected.

GEORGE W. MULLENL 

